Post on 24-Apr-2015
description
Namdapha flying squirrel
General description• Scientific name - Biswamoyopterus
biswasi.• First collected in Deban (on 27 April
1981)• It is arboreal, nocturnal flying
squirrel.• Classified as Critically Endangered
(CR) on the IUCN Red List 2007 .
• The most distinctive feature - muscular membrane.
• The thick, soft pelage is red, grizzled with white, on the back, and white on the under parts.
Habitat• Occurs in a small area in the eastern
Himalayas, north-east India.• The Namdapha flying squirrel occurs
within Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh
• Usually found in dry, dark forest with tall trees.
• Squirrel inhabits temperate broadleaf forests.
• One specimen was found in a lofty tree, at 350 metres above sea level .
Behavior
• They live 6 years in the wild, and may live 15 years in captivity.
• Flying squirrels are nocturnal, because they can’t escape birds of prey that hunt during daylight.
• Squirrels live with their partner.• They protect their own family.
Enemys
• The Namdapha Flying Squirrel’s population is decreasing because it is so small and other animals use it as prey and feed on it.
• Most common enemies – owls, eagles, snakes, hawks, foxes, coyotes, wildcats and weasels.
Reproduction• The mating season is between
February to March.• Female squirrels live with young in
maternal nest sites, until they leave the nest.
• At birth, they are mostly hairless and most of their senses are not present.
• Males do not participate.
• The internal organs are visible through the skin.
• By week 5 of their life, they are almost fully furred and developed.
• After two and a half months , they are ready to leave their nest and are capable of independent survival.
Preying
• Flying squirrels are known to consume a largely vegetarian diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, flowers, bird eggs and occasionally fungi.
• Flying squirrels can easily forage for food in the night, given their highly developed sense of smell.
References• www.arkive.org/namdapha-flying-squirrel/
biswamoyopterus-bis• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_squirrel• http://www.enotes.com/topic/
Namdapha_flying_squirrel• http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/2816/0• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namdapha_flying_squirrel• http://bushwarriors.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/photo-
of-the-day-16-september-2011-me-so-sleepy-sleeping-squirrel-photo-by-kevin-jeffery/#more-18481
Thank you for your attention!